Writing Journey
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Distance
I have this tendency to listen to my favorite songs over and over and over again until they’re worn out like an old pair of holey socks. So I put them away for awhile. Maybe for a week, maybe for a month, or maybe even indefinitely. If I happen to hear them on the radio by accident I cringe, and must change the station immediately. I don’t want any contact. Soon I forget about them and go about my daily life. I might find some new songs to listen to and enjoy. One day the radio will spring to life playing an old favorite. I’ll wonder, how could I not…
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Moving Day
It’s been a long time coming. The day is finally here! It was Children’s Author, Katie Davis of Brain Burps on one of her awesome podcasts that finally convinced the little voice in my head to take action and combine my website and blog. Only thing was, that day happened about three months ago. When I actually sat down to do it, I was stumped beyond belief. Every time I’d try to put things all together it was like one tiny gear in a watch was missing and boom — nothing. Until today! Hooray! The Sunflower Scribe Blog has officially moved over to my main web site. Things are a little…
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12×12 Update
As many of you know, I am participating in Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 challenge for the second time around. Last year I completed my goal of writing 12 new picture book manuscripts in 2012. One of them — my June MS is currently being polished and is almost ready to be sent on submissions. Since it has been a topic on my mind this week, my Wordless Wednesday post is dedicated to that project. So how am I doing with the challenge this year, so far? Jan: Completed! Feb: Nothing yet. March: Nothing yet. As you can see, I’m a little behind on the pb writing this year, but exciting things…
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The Liebster Blog Award
The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Thank you Krissy for tagging me and giving me this award. I love the graphic and will proudly post it on my blog. Please visit Krissy’s blog The Brain of a Children’s Author to find out more about her. The Rules: 1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves. 2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you and create eleven questions for the people you’ve tagged. 3. Choose eleven people and link them in your post. 4. Go to their page and tell them. 5. Remember no tag backs! Krissy’s 11 Questions for me and My Answers:…
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Quiet Thoughts in the Night … A Touch of Sea Glass
There were many presentations from the SCBWI Summer Conference this year that resonated with me, but last night when I couldn’t sleep, the one that stood out in my mind was Deborah Underwood’s keynote on the “Power of Quiet.” After I set aside all the thoughts rummaging around keeping me awake in the first place, I settled into the quiet. (Ok, it’s true, I also chanted, ‘please let me sleep’ several times.) My reflection time led me to an idea for a new pb that I am hoping will be my October 12×12 manuscript, in addition to the following thoughts…Imagine you’re on a beach searching for that perfect piece of sea…
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Library Days: Laguna Beach Library
Today, the hubby and I spent the day in Laguna Beach. A cozy breakfast at Heidelburg Cafe followed by a casual stroll and a breezy ride on the free shuttle. I took many deep breaths of salty, fresh-sea air. And then do you know where I wanted to go? The library, of course! We both brought our laptops and found comfy chairs to lounge in. We had a lovely ocean view. The sunscreeny smell throughout constantly reminded me that the beach was only yards away. We stayed for hours. I explored the children’s book section and found so many amazing picture books to read. Like these ones. All the new…
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11 Tips for Maintaining a Daily Writing Habit
This summer I’ve made a deal with myself — write something new every morning, Monday-Friday. I can’t move on (with submissions, revisions, etc.) until I’ve written something new. At first it was like scratching nails over a chalkboard. I’d talk myself out of it for at least a dozen different reasons. It’s been a few weeks now, and I’m on the daily writing train showing no signs of derailing. I decided to share 11 tips that have helped me so far: 1. Set a schedule and stick to it! 2. Make new writing the first thing you do in your writing time. 3. Avoid Social media and the Internet…
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Take Three…
vampires in the story could transform into animals. This inspired me to write a novel about a young shape-shifter on a quest. I called it Ravyn’s Quest. I began typing the story on my tiny Mac Classic. I actually made 3/4 of the way through the manuscript before I realized I didn’t know how the story would end. I sent my character on this treacherous journey only to realize I didn’t know what she was going to do when she got to where she was going. I always thought in the back of my mind, some day I’ll finish it. And I did take it back out last year. I started over, from the very beginning. This time I’d make sure there were actually characters in the book and…
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Creating a Writing Nook
Where do you complete your writing? Do you have a zen-like place with the sounds of a gentle trickling fountain nearby? Perhaps there’s a vanilla scented candle burning and Enya playing in the background? I think that’s how I pictured it would be before I started writing seriously, but in reality my writing corner has consisted of this… A saggy spot in the corner of a 30+ year old couch. I must say some of my brightest ideas were penned (actually typed) from this very corner. While it is homey and comfortable it doesn’t exactly inspire me to write in a professional and focused manner. So this summer I made it…
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Update on the journey
Here is a blurb from my first ever Sunflower Scribe Blog Post: In June 2010, inspiration struck. My first children’s book main character, Iris the Colorful Spider was born. The manuscript is written and now I am learning more about the editing and publishing process. The journey has just begun and I have finally found my focus. I want to be a Writer. I have come to terms with the fact that this may be a process that is years in the making but, I am up for it! Carpe Diem! I hope you enjoy the ride! I know I will. So how am I doing in my journey now…
